Behringer PRO 1 Analog Synthesizer with Dual VCOs Overview:

PRO-1Making its debut in 1981, the monophonic Sequential Circuits Pro-One* quickly established itself as the synthesizer of choice for numerous artists including: Thompson Twins, the Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, New Order, Prince, Soft Cell and a host of others. An ultra-affordable homage to that iconic synthesizer with all the features of the original and then some, the PRO-1 lets you conjure up virtually any sound with incredible finesse and ease. With its pure analog signal path, dual authentic VCOs with 3 selectable waveforms, plus extremely flexible VCF and VCA filters, the PRO-1 is sure to become one of your favorite keyboards. Owning the PRO-1 is like having your own personal time machine, enabling you to embrace the past – or make your imprint on the future!True to the OriginalGreat care has been taken in engineering the PRO-1, including the true to the original analog circuitry, legendary VCO, VCF and VCA designs, all of which combine to make it easy to recreate the classic sound performance. This highly-focused attention to detail is what gives the PRO-1 its ultra-flexible sound shaping capability, which covers everything from super-fat bass and lead tones to stunning effects – and all the way out to the otherworldly sounds of your imagination.Big, Fat TonesThe inspired synthesizer tracks laid down in the 1980s and ’90s are etched in the annals of progressive rock, wave, EDM and synth-pop music forever, making them truly classic in every sense of the word. The PRO-1 lets you recreate all of that magic – or design incredibly fat and original sounds that will make you a legend in your own right!Authentic 3340 OscillatorPRO-1’s 3340 Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) provides your choice of up to 3 simultaneous waveforms (Oscillator A: Sawtooth and Pulse, Oscillator B: Sawtooth, Triangle and Pulse), with a selectable range of 4 octaves. The VCOs can be modulated via the envelope or the low frequency oscillator (LFO). Performance is further enhanced by the Mixer section, which balances the levels of the internal VCOs and noise generator. This amazing flexibility gives you the tools to be your creative best.Versatile VCFThe very heart of PRO-1’s sound is its classic 4-pole filter, which lets you freely experiment with the Cutoff Frequency, Resonance and Envelope and Keyboard amount, and full complement of ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) controls to dial in the perfect sound. PRO-1’s filter Mode switch can be set to either Lo- or Hi-pass for selecting the range of your choice.16-Note Poly Chain ReadyWhile it is a monophonic instrument (one note at a time), PRO-1’s 16-note Poly Chain function lets you combine multiple synthesizers for up to 16-voice polyphony – plus provides vastly improved reliability and stability over its 1970s and ’80s predecessors.Eurorack ReadyDesigned to handle the rigors of life on the road or in the studio, your PRO-1 can easily be transferred into a standard Eurorack case for the perfect integration into your existing system.Rock Right out-of-the Box!Your PRO-1 comes ready to rock, thanks to its default signal routing that doesn’t require lifting a single patch cable to instantly create amazing sounds. The semi-modular architecture lets you easily tap into the inspired sounds of 1980s and ’90s progressive rock, wave, EDM and synth-pop music synthesizer tracks that made rock and roll history – or to design incredibly fat and original sounds that will make you a legend in your own right!The Envelope, Please…Make that envelopes! PRO-1’s Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) features your choice of Sawtooth, Triangle and Pulse waveforms with a sweepable frequency range from 0.1 to 30 Hz – plus 2 separate Envelope generators for modulating the VCF and VCA.Onboard Sequencer & ArpeggiatorPRO-1’s dual 64-note sequencers allow you to record and playback your choice of 2 unique patterns, which can be played either in Keyboard mode, where you create and store the pattern, or Step mode, which allows you to interact while composing the pattern. The onboard Arpeggiator switch features 3 positions, Up (ascending), Down (descending) and Off. Both sequencers and the arpeggiator are fun, mesmerizing and totally addictive…The LFO, the Matrix & More…Thanks to its dedicated and fully-analog LFO, PRO-1 lets you choose from triangle, pulse or square waveforms and features a single Frequency control for ultra-easy operation. Additionally, the onboard Modulation matrix lets you set the Amount of Filter Envelope, Oscillator B and LFO modulation is applied to the signal, and how. You can even modulate the pulse wave via the LFO, envelope or manually – for sounds ranging from mild to wild!Controls & ConnectivityWe just can’t help ourselves – like you, we’re gear-heads, too. For those who want the numbers, PRO-1 has 56 controls, all laid out in a highly-intuitive format that puts the joy back into your music creation. And you can expand PRO-1’s tone-sculpting capabilities beyond your wildest dreams by utilizing the patchbay for incredibly vast and flexible patching options!Unleash Your ImaginationWhen it comes to not just pushing envelopes but creating them, PRO-1 gives your imagination its voice – and it’s so very affordable. When modern performance calls for classic analog sound – it calls for the Behringer PRO-1!Visit your dealer to experience the stunning PRO-1 or get yours online today. MUSIC never felt this good!A Brief History of Analog SynthesisThe modern synthesizer’s evolution began in 1919, when a Russian physicist named Lev Termen (also known as Léon Theremin) invented one of the first electronic musical instruments – the Theremin. It was a simple oscillator that was played by moving the performer’s hand in the vicinity of the instrument’s antenna. An outstanding example of the Theremin’s use can be heard on the Beach Boys iconic smash hit “Good Vibrations”.OndiolineIn the late 1930s, French musician Georges Jenny invented what he called the Ondioline, a monophonic electronic keyboard capable of generating a wide range of sounds. The keyboard even allowed the player to produce natural-sounding vibrato by depressing a key and using side-to-side finger movements. You can hear the Ondioline on Del Shannon’s “Runaway”.Storytone PianoDesigned by famous piano manufacturer Story & Clark in association with RCA, the Storytone piano debuted at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Hailed as the world’s first electric piano, the Storytone is prized by musicians and collectors alike for its realistic piano sound – only 500 or so were ever built.MellotronFinding a high level of acceptance in the 1960s, Harry Chamberlin’s Mellotron was an electro-mechanical keyboard that generated sounds by playing back pre-recorded tape loops. Although tempermental and prone to pitch and mechanical issues, the Mellotron was used extensively by many U.K. artists. Classic tracks from the Moody Blues “Days of Future Passed”, the Beatles “Strawberry Fields Forever”, and the Rolling Stones “She’s a Rainbow” are prime examples. Attribute author: By Buzz Andersen from San Francisco, California, United States Mellotron | NAMM 2007ARP 2600Manufactured by ARP Instruments, Inc., the Arp 2600 was one of the most successful synthesizers to come out of the 1970s. They were ideal for players new to the synth world, and allowed patches to be changed via switches or 1/8″ audio cables. The list of recordings and artists that used the venerable Arp 2600 reads like a veritable Who’s Who of rock, pop and jazz, and includes The Who, David Bowie, John Lennon, Depeche Mode, Edgar Winter, Frank Zappa and Herbie Hancock – to name just a few. An Arp 2600 was even used to create the voice of the Star Wars character R2-D2. Attribute author: The original uploader was Kimi95 at Italian Wikipedia –MinimoogDesigned to replace the large, modular synths being used in pop music at the time, Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog developed the Minimoog in 1971. The monophonic instrument became the first truly all-in-one, portable analog synthesizer. Thanks to its 3 oscillators and 24 dB/octave filter, the Minimoog produces an extremely rich and powerful bass sound and is still in high demand today. Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman said the instrument “absolutely changed the face of music.” Attribute author: glacial23 – Early Minimoog Uploaded by clusternote, CC BY-SA 2.0Yamaha CS-80In 1976, Yamaha released their CS-80 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, which provided velocity-sensitive keys and aftertouch that worked on individual voices. The analog instrument featured a ribbon controller, which allowed the user to perform polyphonic pitch bends and smooth glissandos. Composer Vangelis used the CS-80 extensively in the Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire soundtracks. The CS-80 also provided the bass line heard in the BBC 1980 series Doctor Who theme song. Image attribution: Pete Brown from Gambrills, MD, USA (DSC00539) [CC BY 2.0Sequential Circuits Prophet 5Sequential Circuits introduced the Prophet 5, which was the first analog 5-voice polyphonic synthesizers to provide onboard memory storage of all patch settings for instant recall. The great-sounding Prophet 5 revolutionized the synthesizer world and, in spite of its rather expensive price tag, became one of the most successful synths of all time. Designed by Dave Smith and J owen, the Prophet 5 was the keyboard of choice by a very long list of performers that includes Peter Gabriel, Philip Glass, Journey, The Cars, Thomas Dolby, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Pink Floyd, and countless others. Image attribution: original uploader was Felix2036 at Dutch Wikipedia derivative work: Clusternote (Sequential_Circuits_Prophet_5.jpg) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Which brings us to 1977…A Passion for KeyboardsOur founder, Uli Behringer has a deep passion for keyboards. Born in the small town of Baden, Switzerland in 1961, Uli grew up in a musical family where his mother taught him to play the piano at the tender age of four. His father was a scientist who built a massive organ in the family home and taught the young lad all about electronics. So at the age of 17, Behringer built his first synthesizer – the UB-1. Later, while attending college to seek a degree in audio engineering, Uli put his electronics knowledge to use, building his own equalizers and signal processors to fill the gap left by the university’s inability to provide enough proper studio gear. Word soon spread about how good his products were, and he began building gear for his friends – the Behringer legacy had begun. The rest, as they say, is history…Features: